Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Question 256: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process for a school to make a case to be included on the school building list under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16; if there will be a mid-term review of the school building list that a school can seek to be included on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9764/12]

As the Deputy is aware, I will shortly publish a five year plan outlining the school building projects that will commence construction in that time.

In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet future projected demographic demands will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. School building projects currently in the architectural planning process will be considered in the context of the plan. In addition, my Department will also be prepared to consider applications by schools for capital funding for additional classrooms where an immediate enrolment need in an area has been identified and where school’s existing accommodation cannot provide for this growth.

In addition to the five year plan, my Department is committed to publishing a detailed plan on an annual basis in relation to planned expenditure on individual major school projects commencing construction. The first of these in relation to 2012 expenditure was published in December 2011 last. Information in respect of the plan for 2012 is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie.